St. Peter Damian was one of the great reformers of the Church of the Middle Age. He began as a Benedictine hermit of Fontavellana and soon became their abbot (1043). Pope Stephen IX made him Cardinal Bishop of Ostia in 1057 and from this post he became a pillar of truth and virtue in attacking the abuses, particularly in the clergy, that was wreaking havoc in the Church of the llth century. St. Peter Damian entered at a time when the Church had been subject to almost two centuries of political and social chaos, doctrinal ignorance and scandalous personal behaviour on the part of the clergy. This saint, being famous for his life of austerity and penance, would act as the principal theorist of the counter-revolutionaries against the Church’s corrupt establishment. His writings were crucial in helping the popes of the time bring about the reforms so desperately needed. To read more about this saint who loved and fought for Holy Mother Church go to: http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/PETEDAMI.HTM.

This simple bisque (soup) recipe is traditionally Benedictine, for its simplicity and for the addition of wine which these Old World monks were known for making.
RECIPE: Cream of Chicken Bisque (from catholicculture.org) Serves 4
4T butter                                  4T flour
1 ¼ c chick broth                     ½ t salt
1 onion, halved                        1 stalk celery, halved.
3 cups milk or half and half       3/4 cup minced cooked chicken (rotisserie works)
dash garlic powder                    1 egg yolk
1/3 cup dry sherry                    whipping cream
Mix butter and flour over low heat to a bubbling paste. Add broth, salt, onion and celery. Stir until creamy; cover; cool over low heat for 15 min, stirring occasionally.  Strain out onion and celery; keeping liquid; add milk, minced chicken and garlic powder. Cook until creamy. In separate bowl, thin egg yolk with a little hot soup; stir into soup pot and add dry sherry. Simmer only! Garnish with a splash of whipping cream, if desired. Enjoy with some crusty bread.
 
READING:
(high school +) St. Peter Damian’s Book of Gomorrah by St.Peter Damian read online at:
https:// www.ourladyswarriors.org/articles/damian1.htm

St. Peter Damian: His Teaching on the Spiritual Life by Owen J. Blum

Payer to St. Peter Damian
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may so follow the teaching and example of the Bishop Saint Peter Damian, that, putting nothing before Christ and always ardent in the service of Your Church, we may be led to the joys of eternal light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen. (from the Roman Missal)
 
Also this week:

February 22: The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle: Read more about this feast of celebration of the unity of the Church at: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-02-22

February 23: St. Polycarp Read about this Bishop and Martyr at : https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/ liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-02-23
 

 

 This feast marks the commemoration of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin to 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France. She appeared to Bernadette 18 times between February 11 and July 16, 1858. On the March 25 apparition, she answered Bernadette’s question for her name with “I am the Immaculate Conception”; confirming the infallible Doctrine Pope Pius IX had declared only four years earlier (December 8, 1854). To read more about this beautiful dogma of our Faith go to:
https://www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/jp2bvm23.htm .

Place the hash browns, chicken brother, canned soup, half and half and butter in the slow cooker.  Stir until combined.  Stir until combined.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.  Stir in the cream cheese and cook an additional 30 minutes or until melted.  Check and adjust seasonings.  Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated cheddar ( and chopped onions add a nice finish too!)  Serve with crusty bread and some fried ham steaks if desired. 

If interested in a kids project for making grottos to Our Lady there are easy to follow instructions at this link: http://www.waltzingm.com/2007/02/under-construction.html
 
READING:
 
(littles) Our Lady of Lourdes by Father Lovasik S.V.D.
 
(middles) St. Bernadette Soubirous and Our Lady of Lourdes by Anne Eileen Heffernan FSP, Bernadette, Our Lady’s Little Servant by Hertha Pauli
 
(high school +) The Miracle of Lourdes: A Message of Healing and Hope by John Lochran, St. Bernadette Soubirous: 1844-1879 by Francis Trochu, Our Lady of Lourdes: Lourdes, Its Grotto, Apparitions and Cures by John Walsh
 
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
 
Oh ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfortess of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look upon me with mercy. When you appeared in the grotto of Lourdes, you made it a privileged sanctuary where you dispense your favors and where many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. My loving Mother, obtain my request. I will try to imitate your virtues so that I may one day share your company and bless you in eternity. Amen.
 
Also this week:
 
February 14: Sts Cyril and Methodius : Read about these brother labourers in the Lord’s vineyard at :
 
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-02-14
 

In 1597, in Nagasaki, Japan, 26 men were martyred for their faith in Christ. They were priests, brothers, laymen, artisans and even youth but they all died with joy. They were tied or chained to crosses and pierced with a lance. The charge was that they were from the Philippines and were leading the people astray. Paul Miki, however, was a Japanese samurai and Jesuit and preached to the executioners and spectators from the cross about this fact and about the truth of Jesus Christ. When missionaries were allowed back into Japan in the 1860’s, at first they found no sign of Christianity. After establishing themselves, however, they found a thriving community of thousands Christians around Nagasaki. They had secretly preserved the faith for over 250 years! To read more about the Nagasaki martyrs, and the fascinating survival of the Faith in Japan go to http://archive.wf-f.org/JFH-Nagasaki_Martyrs.html .

Cut up all meat and veggies so they are ready to cook. If you wish to have rice with it, start it now in the rice cooker or on the stove. Usinga wok or a large frying pan, heat sesame oil over medium high. Add in garlic, then add in shoyu, vinegar, rice wine, sugar and ginger. Mix well. Add chicken. Cook until no pink, it will have a rich brown color from the sauce. Add in the veggies and cook until tender crisp. Serve over rice.

 
God our Father, source and strength for all your saints, you led Paul Miki and his companions through the suffering of the cross to the joy of eternal life. May their prayers give us courage to be loyal until death in professing our faith. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Also this week: